Association of Zoos and Aquariums collaborates with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to announce Wild Futures Grant Program recipients. Four AZA-accredited institutions each awarded $10,000 for youth education initiatives Silver Spring, Md. (May 19, 2026) - In collaboration with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has announced the 2026 Wild Futures Grant Program recipients. Four AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will each receive $10,000 from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to fund youth conservation education initiatives. These grants are offered through the Wild Futures Grant Program, a pilot initiative created this year by Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and AZA to support impactful educational activities at AZA member organizations that engage youth in hands-on conservation work. "Wild Kingdom has long been about inspiring a connection to nature and wildlife, and through our collaboration with AZA, we're bringing that to life for the next generation," said Jen Wulf, vice president of Marketing at Mutual of Omaha, "The Wild Futures Grant Program supports hands-on experiences that help young people build the curiosity, understanding and passion needed to become tomorrow's leaders in protecting and conserving wildlife." "AZA is committed to protecting wildlife and wild places, and accredited zoos and aquariums help advance that mission by serving as powerful incubators for the next generation of conservation leaders," said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "We are grateful for our relationship with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom in funding the Wild Futures Grant Program. Through this initiative, we're investing in youth education that deepens young people's understanding and connection to nature today, building the skills and stewardship that conservation will continue to depend on in the years ahead." AZA and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom congratulate the following Wild Futures Grant Program recipients: South Carolina Aquarium Charleston, S.C. Funding will provide general support for the South Carolina Aquarium's Teen Conservation Crew, a paid career-discovery program for high school students that builds conservation and climate resilience skills through hands-on learning experiences. Funding will also support a day of experiential learning with the South Carolina 7 Expedition, connecting crewmates with a new ecosystem and statewide conservation leaders. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Tacoma, Wash. Granted funds will support three community science youth initiatives at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. The grant will help expand student and public engagement in the Zoo's larval Dungeness crab monitoring program by purchasing and developing new outreach resources. Funding will also grow the Zoo's gear library to reduce barriers to participation in Spot the Swallows, a long-running volunteer community science project that monitors local purple martin breeding colonies. In addition, the grant will expand Explore the Shore, a free low-tide education program, by training and deploying additional interpreters and increasing coverage along the shoreline. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Bridgeport, Conn. Wild Futures Grant Program funding will provide operational support for Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's Conservation Discovery Corps (CDC), a year-round program that places high school students from across Connecticut at the center of conservation science. Granted funds will also support the 2026 Eco-Expedition, which will send CDC students into the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park to conduct original field research on climate change impacts, predator-prey dynamics and the reintroduction of apex predators. Houston Zoo Houston, Texas. The Houston Zoo's Teen International Travel program gives Zoo Crew members the opportunity to work alongside the Zoo's global conservation partners in the field, connecting teens to real-world wildlife conservation. The grant from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom will support the program and its March 2027 trip to Belize, making the experience accessible to the next generation of wildlife advocates. Download photos. Unless otherwise indicated in the image file name, please credit all images to the facility indicated in the folder name. About AZA Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. AZA is setting the global gold standard, accrediting 254 of the top zoos, aquariums and related facilities in 12 countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org. About Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Since its network television premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom has been one of the most loved and respected wildlife programs in television history. The Daytime Emmy(R) nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, now airing weekends on NBC's "The More You Know" time block, celebrates stories of conservation success, including the great work of caring, compassionate experts and how they are making a positive impact on the Wild Kingdom. For more information about Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, visit wildkingom.com.

Lights. Camera. Take action! Wildlife Conservation Society celebrates Earth Day with launch of a juried Film Festival in New York City: REEL WILD(TM) New York Film Festival. Four Days of Films that Stand for Wildlife Juried screenings begin Thursday evening, April 23 at the AMC Lincoln Square 13 and run through Sunday, April 26, including a special presentation of Disneynature's Orangutan. Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom presents a Family Day on Sunday morning, April 26, co-hosted by their own TV hosts, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros. New York, NY | March 09, 2026 New York, March 9, 2026 - Wildlife Conservation Society invites New Yorkers to celebrate Earth Week at its second annual REEL WILD(TM) New York Film Festival featuring award-winning films from independent filmmakers all over the globe - with additional programming from Disneynature and Emmy-nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild - that bring the wonders of wildlife and nature to the big screen. This year marks REEL WILD(TM) New York's first juried festival, showcasing 28 films: 13 award winners, 9 official selections, and 6 out-of-competition selections. Starting Thursday, April 23 at 7PM, the festival kicks off with the Best Conservation Film award winner Snow Leopard Sisters. Screenings will continue nightly and throughout the weekend at the AMC Lincoln Square 13 at 1998 Broadway. Highlighted films: Second Nature (Special Jury Award) and Oscar-nominated and Bronx-based short film, Keeper (New York's Wildest Award) Friday night, April 24 at 7PM and 6PM respectively. Disneynature's Orangutan and Best in Fest and Best Exploration Film dual award-winner, A Life Illuminated Saturday night, April 25, at 6PM and 7PM respectively. Family Day Sunday, April 26, starting at 10AM with NBC's Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, with their co-hosts, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Peter Gros in attendance. Bring Them Home from Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone Sunday afternoon, April 26 at 2PM. Through powerful cinematic storytelling, REEL WILD(TM) and its award-winning films will engage audiences in the beauty and urgency of protecting our planet, connecting audiences with filmmakers, scientists, and explorers. There will be Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and special events for children. REEL WILD(TM) is a platform for showcasing films and for sparking action for wildlife. Through each of the 28 films, audience interaction, and community partnership, REEL WILD(TM) seeks to inspire viewers to become active participants in the conservation of wildlife and the environment. The festival will take place in one location at the AMC Lincoln Square 13,1998 Broadway, NYC. Award-winning films are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and Wildlife Conservation Society scientists. Evening screenings include a cocktail reception afterwards. Tickets for the event, April 23 - 26, can be purchased at reelwild.org. Evening tickets include a Q&A and a cocktail reception. Family Day features three episodes of Daytime Emmy-nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, interactive activities, and a take-home gift bag for each child. Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom's co-hosts wildlife expert Peter Gros and wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant will introduce the films and lead interactive Q&As. Other family programming includes Disneynature's new film, Disneynature's Orangutan, narrated by Josh Gad, officially launching Earth Day, April 22, on Disney+ and premiering in-theater at REEL WILD, Saturday April 25. Said John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs: "Film has the power to make people care about conserving our planet. WCS has a long history of bringing the best in natural history programming to public audiences, through documentaries, feature films and short form productions. With REEL WILD(TM), we are continuing that tradition with a juried festival to bring an elevated, award-winning collection of conservation and wildlife films to New York City." "Storytelling is at the heart of conservation - it's how we connect people to the wonders of the natural world and the importance of protecting it, said Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney's Animals, Science and Environment. The REEL WILD(TM) New York Film Festival celebrates the power of film to inspire change, unite communities, and ignite curiosity in audiences of all ages. By sharing these incredible stories, we honor our shared legacy and empower the next generation to continue protecting wildlife and wild places for years to come." Said Christine Osekoski, WCS Executive Director of Public Affairs & Partnerships: "We're working again this year with two incredible partners: Disney Conservation Fund, our overarching festival sponsor and initial champion of REEL WILD and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild who has elevated our family programming and experience at Sunday's Family Day. WCS is privileged to have the support of an A-Team of agency partners and professionals from Horizon Media, Barbarian, Genuine Overkill and Naked City Films. "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our other generous sponsors Lotte New York Palace, Delta and Rewild Safaris. And this year, the festival's competition structure was possible thanks to the time, effort, and extensive deliberations from the dedicated jury. We thank them for their commitment to bringing powerful nature storytelling to New York City audiences." Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Since its network television premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom has been one of the most loved and respected wildlife programs in television history. The Daytime Emmy(R) nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, now airing weekends on NBC's "The More You Know" time block, celebrates stories of conservation success, including the great work of caring, compassionate experts and how they are making a positive impact on the Wild Kingdom. For more information about Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, visit wildkingdom.com Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world's largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth's known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private sector. Its four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242. Listen to the WCS Wild Audio podcast HERE. * Media Contacts Mary Dixon +1 (347) 840-1242 [email protected]